Eastern Cape serial rapist sentenced to eight life terms - EWN

An Eastern Cape serial rapist has been sentenced to eight life terms for targeting and raping eight women, including two teenage girls, in Tsolo.

Thabile Nyakiso was also handed 15 years for each of the three counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and a further 12 months for common robbery.

The Mthatha High Court ruled Nyakiso will only be eligible for parole after serving 30 years and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

The court heard how Nyakiso and another unidentified person committed rapes and robberies around Tsolo, targeting women walking at New Homes and Crossbow townships. 

The court heard the first victim was a 16-year-old girl who was attacked on 19 June 2016 with a string of other attacks reported following that incident.

DNA evidence linked him to the offences committed between 2016 and 2017.

Acting Judge Fikile Ntayiya described the 32-year-old as merciless, saying his crimes had destroyed the lives of his victims.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the hefty sentence, with spokesperson Luxolo Tyali saying it reflects the seriousness of the crimes.

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